New Traffic Light is Installed in North Bend

Published 2:34 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

The long awaited traffic light at the corner

of Bendigo and Highway 10 in North Bend has been operational since last Friday and Police Chief

Mel Reid said the department has received many

inquiries about its operation.

The signal is manually operated. Reid points

out that although someone must stand by to push

the button each time it is operated, this does not mean it

is completely controlled by the operator.

The minimum green phase on 1st Ave.

(Highway 10) is 44 seconds; 14 seconds after the button

is pushed, Bendigo gets the green light. After a minimum of 10 seconds of green on Bendigo

it automatically changes if the button isn’t held

down. The maximum time green can be held is 30

seconds, after which the light changes, over-riding

the operator’s signal, and another 44 seconds must

pass before it can be changed, explains Reid.

The town is seeking an operator for the

light. Applications may be picked up at the Town Hall

and must be filed with the Town Clerk before July 13.

The operator must be available Fridays and

weekends during afternoons and evenings, and will

work directly under the Police Department. The job will

be filled on approval of the Police Chief and the

Town Council at the next council meeting on July 14.

The rate of compensation is $2 per hour.

Police Chief Reid said there is a definite

accident potential with the new light. He cautions drivers

to use care when entering the intersection and

urges pedestrians to cross as quickly as possible, as

they may get caught in the middle of the street as the

light changes.

No definite hours are set for the light’s

operation, which will fluctuate with the traffic flow. As a rule,

it will be operational on Fridays, Saturdays,

Sundays and certain holidays in the late afternoons. This

will depend on the availability of an operator, as well

as traffic conditions, Reid asserted.

A free right turn will be permitted after a

complete stop is made. The right-of-way must yield to

through traffic at all times.

Reid said all regulations will be strictly

enforced, including those providing penalties for

jay-walking and failure to come to a complete stop before

turning right against the light.